"Lightning Realese : Lightning Flash Dash!"
Cloud ninja's figure flickered with electric sparks, and the brilliant light coalesced in his open right palm, tightly clenched!
"Y-"
With a burst of radiance, Cloud ninjas surged forward at explosive speed, transforming into a human-shaped beam of light as he charged towards the three Sannin who hadn't moved yet!
"This is impressive teamwork. Even though these four might be Chunin level, their combined assault would give a run for their money to many Jōnin, and a typical Jōnin squad would be wiped out. Considering their efficiency, they must have pulled this off multiple times!"
Orochimaru's serpent-like gaze widened. This power was what he obtained from Byakugan while in Konoha. He trailed a few members of the Hyuga clan on an outside mission, and seized his opportunity to absorb Byakugan's power as they breathed their last.
Orochimaru's restraint was far less than that of Takeshi, and the white-scaled serpent's devouring ability was immensely useful. While there are various ways to obtain the power of others' bloodline limit, in the ninja world, overlooking the caged bird was nearly impossible.
The Hyuga clan was blindsided by their unshakable faith in the caged bird; they never realized their clan's Dojutsu had been harvested by others.
"Hey! Jiraiya, Tsunade, wake up!"
Orochimaru gazed at the approaching beam of light that was Cloud ninjas, yet he remained composed. He desired the growth of his two young companions; he wanted to prevent their needless deaths.
The crux of these four Cloud Ninjas' collaborations was the ninja employing "Lightning Realese : Lightning Flash Dash!". This technique was more of an illusion than lightning manipulation.
The principle behind this jutsu was somewhat akin to the Flash Jutsu Takeshi obtained from Shiromari. It seized attention, followed by a surge of thunderous chakra and mental focus, generating the effect of thunderous roaring within the enemy's mind. This baffled their senses and immobilized them temporarily, collaborating with Cloud ninjas's final blow.
A jutsu like this could leave even an average Jōnin disoriented for a time. However, Orochimaru, bolstered by formidable mental prowess and the Three-Tomoe Sharingan, brushed it aside with little effect.
"Snapped-!"
Orochimaru tapped Tsunade's bewildered head, concurrently delivering a sharp slap to Jiraiya's face, instantly jolting him awake!
"Um... what?!"
The event unfolded swiftly, catching them off guard. When they laid eyes on the charging Cloud Ninjas, their reactions were rapid. Employing a powerful forceful punch, Tsunade met the assault head-on!
"Boom!"
The crack of sonic force reverberated. The metallic serpent that shielded them earlier disintegrated at Orochimaru's will. Tsunade collided with a tree with a heavy thud, coughing and reeling under the impact. Chakra enhanced Strength alone proved insufficient to counter the enemy's attack.
Cloud ninjas, too, was taken aback, retreating three steps. He hadn't anticipated these three "little devils" enduring a combined strike from the four of them. Particularly that snake-eyed individual, with his immunity to illusions!
"Um... what?! Cough...!"
Gazing at Orochimaru's mocking grin, the ninja's unease deepened. Unexpectedly, Orochimaru's hand whipped around as if boneless. A gleaming sword, cold light flickering, shot forth from his mouth, piercing through the ninja's chest in an instant!
"White Swallow!"
"These brats, they actually...!"
Cloud ninjas, struggling in battle alongside Tsunade, lowered his eyelids and perished on the spot. The Kusanagi sword seemed to drink in his blood before returning to Orochimaru in the form of a snake, coiling around his legs and vanishing.
"Haha, indeed, Cloud ninjas, you're quite the schemer. It's rather innovative to label an illusion like this as "Lightning Realese : Lightning Flash Dash!"
Orochimaru retrieved the Kusanagi sword, his gaze coldly fixed on the remaining trio. If not for Jiraiya and Tsunade's presence, they might have fallen to their deaths following their initial failed assault.
"Well, did we just fall into an illusion?"
Jiraiya's reaction, though belated, reflected his fear. Illusion was his weak suit, particularly against this sort of sound-based illusion that defied preemptive defense.
Tsunade, owing to her expertise in medical ninjutsu, boasted remarkable chakra control, enabling her swift recovery and an intensely serious demeanor in such a moment.
This was genuine combat; every opponent might possess unforeseen abilities. A single misstep could spell doom!
"Retreat!"
The remaining three Cloud Ninjas, much to Jiraiya and Tsunade's surprise, didn't fling themselves into a desperate counterattack. Instead, they dispersed in three different directions!
"What's this? These guys..." Jiraiya was momentarily dumbstruck, but Orochimaru's swift kick sent him hurtling towards the assailant who had initially deployed lightning.
"Don't dawdle! Dispose of him!"
Reality dawned on Tsunade and Jiraiya. The disparity between them and Orochimaru transcended mere strength; it encompassed the very essence of their beings.
Yet Orochimaru himself remained oblivious. Subconsciously, these two "inept" companions held deep significance. Though currently exasperated, Orochimaru remained invested in their development.
Perhaps Takeshi's influence lingered, or maybe it was the bond forged by partners raised side by side.
"Fire Style: Fire Dragon Bullet Technique!"
A sudden burst of flames blocked an escape route for the remaining Cloud Ninja, taking both Tsunade and Jiraiya by surprise.
"Darn it, kid, you're courting death!"
Cloud ninjas, infuriated, pivoted to face them in combat. His initial attempt to flee and his subsequent ambush left him off-balance, providing Jiraiya the perfect opportunity to ensnare him in his hair, drawing him closer like a thorny hedgehog.
Ultimately, it was Cloud ninjas who ended up entangled in Jiraiya's white mane, died, and Jiraiya remained unscathed by the lightning assault ninja used at his final moment.
"Punch!"
Tsunade closed in on Cloud ninjas, who was ensnared in an illusion. She wore him down with a series of resolute punches and kicks.
The ground fractured as the tree Cloud ninjas clung to crumbled. Witnessing the fierce beauty before him, Cloud ninjas trembled and faltered. His courage to fight to the death withered away.
"What's going on with these three brats? They'll have to report back!"
Cloud ninjas ground his teeth, illusions were effective, but most sound-based illusions had a critical drawback. Though hard to predict, they required preparation time, rendering them useless.
"I'll take you down with me!"
Taken aback by Cloud ninjas's roar, Tsunade was swiftly enveloped in a smoke bomb's haze!
"Ahem...! Crafty devil!"
Tsunade's vision blurred within the smokescreen, hindering her pursuit. Capitalizing on the opportunity, Cloud ninjas fled.
"You're too careless."
Orochimaru raised a hand indifferently, sending a gray blur into the thick smoke!
"Pfft—"
Cloud ninjas, his eyes wide and fearful, clutched his throat, collapsing with blood pooling around his neck.
"When confronting an enemy, ruthlessness is key. Swiftly incapacitate them. This is a battlefield."
Orochimaru commented dispassionately, strolling over to retrieve Cloud ninjas's lifeless form.
"I'm... sorry."
Tsunade and Jiraiya realized their naivety in the face of the ruthless reality of battle.
"Huh...huh... Did I manage to escape? Hahaha, I finally got away! You little Konoha brats, just wait, I'll definitely settle the score, hahaha!"
Orochimaru refrained from pursuing. The one who initially launched the assault, now wounded and bleeding, staggered away with staggering determination.
His foot injury aggravated his limp, yet he harbored no expectation of survival. Death seemed imminent.
"Hahaha, just wait, you little brats, I will surely..."
"Tick-tick-"
Cloud ninjas's tremulous steps halted abruptly, and the maniacal grin froze on his face. A faint yet unmistakable "hiss" echoed in his ears.
His fingers brushed the wet spot on his shoulder, a lingering fishy odor wafting up. The shadow of death draped over him.
"Ah, hell."
Cloud ninjas's body slackened, a resolve uncharacteristic of him. He faced forward without looking back.
In an instant, a colossal maw enveloped him, consuming him whole. His blade clattered to the ground as a burst of blood splashed onto the nearby flowers, intensifying their vibrant allure.
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